Phala Phala panel to be appointed in September, says Mapisa-Nqakula

Mapisa-Nqakula told the National Assembly's programme committee on Thursday that Ramaphosa will be in Parliament on 30 August and  29 September.

Ramaphosa is facing allegations of money laundering, among others, related to the theft of a large amount of foreign currency at his Phala Phala farm in 2020.  

In June, former spy boss Arthur Fraser opened a criminal complaint against Ramaphosa, accusing him of kidnapping, bribery, money laundering and 'concealing a crime' following the theft of a large amount of foreign currency from his private property two years ago.

Ramaphosa has since denied any wrongdoing and pledged to fully cooperate with the investigation processes.  

READ: Ramaphosa finally responds to Phala Phala questions

Earlier this week, eight opposition parties in Parliament, including the DA, EFF, IFP, ACDP, UDM, NFP, ATM, COPE and the PAC have vowed to intensify individual and joint efforts to ensure that Ramaphosa is held accountable over the Phala Phala matter.

Parliament's Secretary-Masibulele Xaso confirmed that MP's questions will be answered in two sessions.

The first session is scheduled for next Tuesday.

"The one issue that was raised in the previous meeting related to questions to the president, there was a call for two sessions in the third term and that has since been given effect to. The president will be coming on the 30th of August and again on the 29 of September, he will be answering questions. 

"There was also a request for investigations in relation to matters around Phala Phala and the speaker has since deemed the motion by ATM compliant and there is now a process underway for a panel to look into the matter," says Xaso.

ALSO READ: Mapisa-Nqakula refers Phala Phala matter to intelligence committee

Mapisa-Nqakula also confirmed that the independent panel meant to investigate the matter will be appointed by next month.

"According to the rules which I have seen, the process after the appointment of the independent panel will take about 30 days. Once the panel has been appointed and announced, it will have 30 days within which to do its work and present a recommendation to the Office of the Speaker.

"Honourable members have up to the 1st to make submissions. On the 2nd, they will be announcing the panel and it will immediately start its work and it will have exactly 30 days from the day of the announcement to complete the work."

The panel will decide whether Ramaphosa will be subjected to a process that could lead to his removal from office.

Section 89 of the Constitution provides for the National Assembly to remove a president from office on the grounds of either serious violation of the Constitution or the law, serious misconduct, or an inability to perform the functions of the office.

NOW READ: Call for impeachment probe into Phala Phala saga 'premature' – Parliament

Opposition parties said they will submit the names of former Judges Mogoeng Mogoeng, Dikgang Moseneke, Bernard Ngoepe, and Yvonne Mokgoro.